© Victor Mwakapila (Zambia)
Derived from the Bemba word meaning “a collective of storytellers” or “these stories will be told in the future,” Bakashimika International Photography Festival is more than just a festival; it provides a vital platform for emerging African lens-based artists and photographers to showcase their work from an indigenous perspective.
As the first photography festival in Zambia and a unique fixture in Southern Africa, Bakashimika was founded to challenge the (neo)colonial legacies and foreign narratives that have historically defined the region’s image. Co-founded by creative visionaries Edith Chiliboy, Patrick Chilaisha, Geoffrey Phiri, and Dr. Kerstin Hacker, it builds the infrastructure for Southern African photographers to network and build a community.
Bakashimika will showcase a vibrant and complex stories of Southern Africa in its second landmark edition. The 2026 program promises an immersive week of professional development, international networking, and world-class exhibitions by artists from all over the Southern African region. Whether you are a professional photographer or a visual culture enthusiast, this festival is an essential destination for anyone interested in the power of the lens to rewrite Africa’s future.
Festival dates: June 18–24, 2026 – Bakashimika International Photography Festival, Lusaka, Zambia.
Website: bakashimika.com
Previous participants include: Eltina Gaspar (Angola); Robert Nzaou (Democratic Republic of Congo); Patrick Chilaisha (Zambia); Nothando Chiwanga (Zimbabwe); Namukolo Siyumbwa (Zambia); Kalenga Nkonge (Zambia); Maingaila Muvundika (Zambia); Harry Odunze (Nigeria); Alick Phiri (Zambia); Victor Mwakapila (Zambia); and Danny Chiyesu (Zambia).
© Harry Odunze (Nigeria)
© Danny Chiyesu (Zambia)
© Robert Nzaou (Democratic Republic of Congo)
© Alick Phiri (Zambia)
